California Cricket Academy continues its fifth year anniversary celebration with an U-13 team tour to India self financed by academy parents.

California Cricket Academy continues its fifth year anniversary celebration with an U-13 team tour to India self financed by academy parents.

Since its inception in 2003, CCA has been instrumental in creating excellent opportunities for youth players across major cricket hubs like India and England. Following up on last year's successful tour of Gujarat and England, CCA has planned another tour of Gujarat (India) in December of 2008.

The CCA U13 team will play in state of Gujarat,India in Ahmedabad, Baroda, Anand, Nadiad and Surat. The games that were originally scheduled for Mumbai were called off due to some logistics issue.

"Our players really enjoyed the 2007 tour and appreciate the amazing hospitality they received from the local cricketing bodies - Gujarat Cricket Association and Baroda Cricket Association.  Thanks to their continued support, we have planned a second tour, this time with players who are much younger in age group," Hemant Buch of CCA said in a press release.

"Although we have mostly U-13 players, we are playing against U-14 teams in India as standard age group division in India are U-14, U-16 and U-19."

"We want to continue the tradition of visiting India and we will invite players from other academies throughout USA to participate in these tours in the future. The BCCI officials we deal are supportive of our grassroots cricket development effort”, he said.

CCA coach Amit Buch, will guide the team that is traveling to India. Amit is a coach at the Gujarat Cricket Association's Junior Academy which boasts advanced training equipment and curriculum. CCA coaches Tushar Arothe and Chetan Mankad guided academy throughout the process.  Team Manager Satsheel Altekar is a committed volunteer at CCA and has managed teams for various CCA games.

Academy organizers and parents are very fortunate to receive support from professional like Satsheel. "I look forward to watch our players play on international grounds and learn how BCCI academies are setup in Gujarat", says Satsheel Altekar, team manager.

Players profiles:

Akhil Ghirnikar, 11, youngest player on the team is right handed all rounder. Akhil won several man of the match and batting awards in recently concluded U-11 G1G cup tournament. Akhil has solid technique and foot work which will be very useful playing against spinners in India.

Arsh Buch,14 (Captain and left arm medium pace and right hand batsman) was member of US U-15 ICC Americas cup team in 2008 and member of CCAs national U-15 and U-13 champion teams. Arsh, the most experienced player in the team was also part of the U-15 team which visited India in year 2007 and has represented western region in junior tournaments. Arsh was also selected on the list of Western Region U-19 probables.

Arun Chakravorty, 13 is right arm medium pace bowler. Arun has been very accurate bowler who cuts the bowl both ways. He has been very successful at National tournament, CCAs U-17 Keypoint cup and during Thanks giving tournament against Canada.

Dave Parikh, 13 is a left hand top order batsman who has scored several big scores in major tournaments including National U-13 tournament and Keypoint cup U-17 tournament organized by CCA.

Dushyant Naresh, 13, has moved to India this year after winning National U-13 championship for CCA. Dushyant is right hand medium pace bowler and has represented CCA in various high profile tournaments including u-19 inter league tournament of Western region. Currently Dushyant is being trained in Bangalore, India.

Hersh Solanki, 11 is another top order batsman and utility bowler. Hersh also had several game winning performances during National junior U-11 and U-13 championships and G1G U-13 and U-11 tournaments at CCA.   Hersh has also captained several CCA U-11 and U-13 tournaments.

Immanuel Amirathraj, 13 is a Wicket keeper and top order right handed batsman. Immanuel recently in U-17 Keypoint cup recorded some very good batting performances. Immanuel was also member of the CCAs national U-13 champion squad.

Mihir Altekar, 12 is a right hand hard hitting batsman. Mihir also represented CCA in various national and international events.

Neil Tagare , 11 is a right handed batsman and leg spinner. Neil has captained CCAs U-11 and U-13 teams for the National Junior tournament. Neil is one of the youngest player to hit six on academys 185 ft. boundary ground.

Parth Patel, 11 is utility right handed batsman. Parth represented CCA U-11 team which won National tournament. Parth is one of the upcoming cricketer at CCA.

Roshan Varadrajan, 13, (Vice Captain, right arm off spinner and top order batsman) was member of the CCAs national championship winner U-13 team. Roshan Represented Western Region in U-15 regional tournament in 2008 and visited India with U-15 team in year 2007.

Sandeep Peddada, 13 is a right hand offspinner. Sandeep is a great team player and will be very useful spinner on the team. Sandeep has been part of CCAs U-13 national champion teams and bowled very well in Keypoint U-17 tournament held by CCA.

Vinit Parikh, 14, is a utility all rounder and good fielder. Vinit also represented CCA in National U-15 tournament during the year 2008 and played 20/20 against US and Canada U-15 team during Thanksgiving weekend.

"There is no cup or a trophy they will be playing for, but we know that they will gain invaluable practice and win a few hearts for sure," Buch said.

Brief Tour Itinerary:

December 18th - Depart for Ahmedabad by Jet Airways

December 21st - Practice at Motera International Stadium

December 22nd - Motera B Ground, Match against GCA team

December 23rd – Newly built Motera Academy ground, Match against GCA Academy

December 24th - Rest Day

December 25th- Game against Baroda Cricket association at Vintage Motibag Stadium

December 26th - Rest Day

December 27th - Game at Nadiad, against Nadiad cricket association

December 28th - Rest day and travel to Surat

December 29th - Game against Bharuch/Surat/Vapi cricket association

December 30th - Game against Surat Cricket association

December 31st - Rest Day

January 1st -  Game against Anand cricket association at Anand

January 2nd - Game against GCA at Moteral International main ground in Ahmedabad.

January 3rd - Return to US via Bombay.